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Annual Metal Binge Seen Stalling

By

Clementine Wallop And

Francesca Freeman

Oct. 15, 2012 3:59 a.m. ET

The usual blast of deal making that accompanies the metal trade's biggest annual gathering in London looks set to fizzle this week as economic uncertainty, particularly China's slowdown, saps the industry's confidence.

Buyers of the industrial metal copper will be pushing for lower premiums as the largest market, China, slows down. However, sellers may be unwilling to meet their demands after economic stimulus measures announced in the U.S. and China lifted copper prices in September.